A fancy dress contest inspired by Crufts (a British dog show), established by Andrew Logan in 1972
In the early 1970s, the artist Andrew Logan had an idea for a party. It would not be about beauty, it would be about transformation. The Alternative Miss World would allow anyone to enter: men and women on equal footing: racial parity in a pre-cosmopolitan London; sexuality set free in a million guises. And everyone would be judged on the same criteria as the dogs at Crufts: poise, personality and originality.
Since the first event in Andrew’s flat in Hackney, in 1972, the Alternative Miss World has set the stage for some of the world’s most creative spirits to gather — with past guests, hosts and competitors including everyone from Derek Jarman, David Hockney and Zandra Rhodes to Grayson Perry, Divine, Leigh Bowery and the stars of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Accent Issue Two pays tribute to this long-running celebration of self-expression by unearthing some gems from the photo archive.
Andrew Logan at the first Alternative Miss World in 1972
The Alternative Miss World, est. 1972
1972
Where — Downham Road, Hackney
In attendance — David Hockney, Derek Jarman, Keith at Smile, Hermine Demoriane
Winner — Miss Yorkshire (Patrick Steed)
Fact — Jack Hazan filmed the party and used a sequence as the party scene in his film about David Hockney, A Bigger Splash
Miss Holland Park Walk (Eric Roberts), the winner in 1973
Photograph: JD Matthews
1973
Where — Downham Road, Hackney
In attendance — Zandra Rhodes, Ossie Clark, Angie Bowie, David Bailey, Richard O’Brien, Tim Curry and Little Nell
Winner — Miss Holland Park Walk (Eric Roberts)
Fact — The first AMW crown, made of cardboard and UHU glue, was presented here. The sceptre was wire and tinsel
1975
Where — Butler’s Wharf, Bankside
Theme — Wild
In attendance — Fenella Fielding, Malcolm McLaren, Vivienne Westwood
Winner — Miss Crêpe Suzette (Derek Jarman)
Fact — Miss Holland Park Walk threw Molly Parkin in the pool
Luciana Martinez de la Rosa, 1978
Photograph: Robyn Beeche
1978
Where — A circus tent, Clapham Common
Theme — Circus
In attendance — Divine and Molly Parkin (hosts), Duggie Fields, Michael Fish, Joan Bakewell
Winner — Miss Carriage, Miss Linda Carriage (Stevie Hughes)
Fact — AMW goes public. A film of it landed Andrew in court
1981
Where — The Grand Hall, Kensington Olympia
Theme — Imperial fantasy/royal imperial
In attendance — Janet Street-Porter, Fran Fullenwider
Winner — Miss Aldershot (Michael Haynes)
Fact — Just before the Falklands War. The winner, in military dress, was accompanied by the Massed Band of the Irish Guards
1985
Where — Brixton Academy
Theme — Water
In attendance — Billy Connolly, Naim Attallah
Winner — Miss R.O.S.A.B.O.S.O.M. (a robot built by Bruce Lacey)
Fact — Andrew’s brother Richard designed its waterfall backdrop
Fat Gill and Leigh Bowery in 1986
Photograph: Robyn Beeche
1986
Where — Brixton Academy
Theme — Earth
In attendance — Leigh Bowery, Koo Stark, John Maybury
Winner — Miss National Geographic (Jenny Runacre)
Fact — The local paper in Chislehurst, Kent, protested against the event being held there, claiming it would “bring AIDS”
Andrew Logan and co-host Rula Lenska in 1991
Photograph: Robyn Beeche
1991
Where — Business Design Centre, Islington
Theme — Air
In attendance — Rula Lenska, Brian Eno, Nick Rhodes
Winner — Miss Gale Force Wind (Burnel Penhaul, “the Transformer”)
Fact — Held in daytime in the year the museum opened
Kinky Gerlinky Cabaret, 1991
1995
Where — The Grand, Clapham Junction
Theme — Fire
In attendance — Anita Roddick, Andrey Bartenev
Winner — Mademoiselle Jean D’Arc (Molly Burnel)
Fact — The year the Russians came, led by Bartenev. “They are particularly supportive,” says Andrew
1998
Where — 291 Gallery (a converted church), Hackney
Theme — The void
In attendance — Janet Turner, Maggi Hambling, Rajeev Sethi
Winner — Miss Pani Bronua
Fact — This time the Russians won it. Pani Bronua, a woman in her seventies, wowed the crowd with her personality
2004
Where — The Hippodrome, Leicester Square
Theme — The universe
In attendance — Amanda Barrie, Patricia Quinn, Julian Clary, Matthew Glamorre, Michael Kostiff
Winner — Miss Secret Sounds of Sunbird Rising, CCCP
Fact — The show was dedicated to Andrew’s parents
2009
Where — The Roundhouse, Camden
Theme — The elements
In attendance — Ruby Wax, Ken Russell
Winner — Miss Fancy Chance (Veronica Thompson)
Fact — The run-up to the event was recorded for Jes Benstock’s 2011 documentary, The British Guide to Showing Off
2014
Where — Shakespeare’s Globe, the South Bank
Theme — Neon numbers
In attendance — Grayson Perry, Angela Flowers, Daniel Lismore
Winner — Miss Zero + (Sasha Frolova)
Fact — Andrew’s sister, Janet, competed in her 13th pageant. She hasn’t won — yet
The Alternative Miss World will return in 2018